Square and Rectangular Symmetry Tiles from Bulk and Thin Film 3‐Miktoarm Star Terpolymers. Issue 23 (4th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aissou, Karim; Nunns, Adam; Manners, Ian; Ross, Caroline A.
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 9:Issue 23(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 4077
• Page End: 4084
• Publication Date: 2013-07-04
• Subjects: Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201300657
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The directed self assembly of a 3‐miktoarm star terpolymer (polyisoprene‐arm‐polystyrene‐arm‐polyferrocenylethylmethylsilane (3<italic>μ</italic>‐ISF)) into a (4.8²) square symmetry Archimedean tiling pattern is described. Bulk samples of 3<italic>μ</italic>‐ISF generate equilibrium columnar (4.8²) tile patterns (symmetry p 4 mm) on annealing, which is preceded by a metastable c 2 mm centered rectangular structure. In contrast, in thin films of 3<italic>μ</italic>‐ISF blended with PS homopolymer, the c 2 mm phase is stable with columns oriented out of plane when the film thickness is below 50 nm. However, the 3<italic>μ</italic>‐ISF/homopolymer blend rapidly forms a p 4 mm symmetry when the film thickness is ∼80 nm, with grain sizes of several μm and excellent order. Defects in the p4mm structure are described.</p> </abstract>